November 18th is about to pack a punch, with seven big title fights set to light up the AO Arena in Manchester.
Nathan Heaney, Stoke’s pride and joy with an impressive 17-0 record, is taking on Denzel Bentley for the British Middleweight title. Oh, and they’re not just duking it out for that title, there’s also the WBA Continental championship on the table. That’s some serious bling at stake!
Nick Ball, the WBC Silver champ, and Isaac Dogboe, a former world champion, will be throwing down in the co-headline fight. It’s a make-or-break for the WBC World Featherweight Championship.
On the ladies’ side, the WBC Super Welterweight Championship title is up for grabs. Hannah Rankin from Glasgow will fight Ema Kozin from Slovenia. Two fighters, one dream, who’ll come out on top?
Then there’s Anthony Cacace and Ryan Garner, a clash of wits and fists. Experience meets young blood; it’s anyone’s game.
Liam Davies, a champ with a shine from his recent victory, is gearing up to defend his title against Vincenzo La Femina.
Our next spectacle features Ekow Essuman and Harry Scarff. It’s a Nottingham vs Derby welterweight showdown. Word on the street? If Codey Crowley doesn’t ink that paper tonight, Essuman’s going to be dancing with Scarff instead. Drama outside the ring? Now that’s a spicy subplot.
Lastly, Nathaniel Collins will defend his British and Commonwealth titles against Manchester’s own Zak Miller. Local lad Miller is sure to have a lot of love in the AO Arena.
In the wise words of Ball, “Expect an almighty scrap against Dogboe.” He ain’t wrong. From the way things are shaping up, November 18th will be more than just fights; it’s an experience.
Starting off with “Royal Storm” Dogboe, now 29, who originally hailed from the streets of London but has his roots in Ghana. Dogboe made waves trying to clinch the featherweight world title against the legendary Cuban boxer, Robeisy Ramirez, this past April. But hey, let’s not forget his iconic triumph at super bantamweight, when he put Jessie Magdaleno on the map in 2018. Talk about a blast from the past!
Then there’s our guy, “Battersea Banger” Bentley, aged 28. Now, this fella is no joke. He’s stepping into the ring for his third defense of the British middleweight title against Heaney. Remember when he made a quick work of Kieran Smith in just 45 seconds this April? Yep, that’s the one! But, life’s not always a win-win. His previous bout against Janibek Alimkhanuly last November? Let’s just say it didn’t end in fireworks for Bentley.
Switching gears to the ladies, Hannah Rankin is nothing short of a phenomenon. She’s stepping into her ninth world title fight, in only her 20th professional bout. How’s that for a stat? And she’s got Ema Kozin on her crosshairs, a name she’s been eyeing for a while now. The anticipation is real!
To add the cherry on top, Promoter Frank Warren had some words to share about the upcoming Manchester showdown: “Brace yourselves; this fight card is going to be off the charts. It’s reminiscent of the golden days, with evenly matched fights that’ll keep everyone at the edge of their seats, whether they’re in the AO Arena or chilling on their couch tuned into TNT Sports.
” He continued, “With so much talent packed into one night, heck, it’s hard to spotlight just one fight. Every bout is a main event in its own right.”
British Middleweight title: Nathan Heaney will challenge Denzel Bentley. The bout will also decide the holder of the WBA Continental championship belts.
WBC World Featherweight Championship eliminator: WBC Silver champion Nick Ball will face former WBO world champion Isaac Dogboe.
WBC Super Welterweight Championship: Hannah Rankin will battle Ema Kozin for the vacant title.
IBO World Super Featherweight Championship: Anthony Cacace will face off against Ryan Garner.
EBU Super Bantamweight Championship: Liam Davies will defend against Vincenzo La Femina.
British Welterweight title: Ekow Essuman may either face Codey Crowley in a final eliminator for the IBF welterweight title or, if Crowley does not sign for the fight, defend against Harry Scarff.
British Featherweight title: Nathaniel Collins will defend his titles against Zak Miller.
